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Thank you to everyone who shared thoughts with the MyType2 community.
This phase of the MyType2 project has ended, and comments are now closed. You can continue the conversation about living with diabetes by connecting with organizations like American Diabetes Association, dLife, and TuDiabetes.
Question: I feel like I'm the only one of my friends who has to watch what I eat. I don't like having to worry about what I eat every time we go out. What can I do? I don't want to stop hanging out with them.
While you may feel like you are the only one among your friends that has to watch what you eat, Dr. Erinn Rhodes, Director of the Type 2 Diabetes Program at Children's Hospital Boston reminds us that, "Healthy eating is good for everyone, not just for people with diabetes. Consider sharing your useful nutrition tips with your friends. You may be surprised by how much they want to learn about healthy eating." If you find that eating out with your friends is too hard, Dr. Rhodes recommends planning activities that don't involve food, like playing sports or listening to your favorite music. If you are going out to eat, you might try suggesting a restaurant that has healthier food choices and plan ahead. Dr Rhodes says, "Remember, a lot of diabetes management is about planning and balance."
Question: There is no nurse at my school and I don't always remember to check my blood sugar. What can I do?
It is always a good idea to ask for support to help manage your diabetes, and a school nurse is only one of many people at school to look to for help. You can also try asking a teacher, a guidance counselor, or your principal for help managing your diabetes. Your friends may also be able to help you remember to check your blood sugars. "For schools that receive federal funding, the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 actually ensure that children with diabetes can take care of their diabetes at school. If your school receives federal funding, then the school is required to comply with these laws," says Dr. Rhodes. She recommends the following website to learn more about these laws and how to get the support that you need at your school: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0q_100.htm.
Question: My parents think it's a good idea for me to tell my friends that I have diabetes, but I don't know how to. I don't want them to look at me differently. Why should I tell them?
Deciding whether to tell your friends about your diabetes is a personal decision. However, "letting your friends know that you have type 2 diabetes is a great way to create a support system for yourself," says Dr. Rhodes. Educate your friends about type 2 diabetes so they know that you are still the same you. Let them know that "having diabetes just means your body needs help controlling blood sugar levels. Eating healthy foods, being physically active, and sometimes taking medication will help keep your blood sugars under control." Dr Rhodes also suggests that you tell your friends that diabetes is not like a cold or flu, so they won't "catch" diabetes from being around you. If your friends ask questions that you can't answer, ask your diabetes doctor or nurse; you'll answer your friends' questions, and learn something new yourself!
Question: How do I tell my grandma I can't eat her enchiladas?
You can eat her enchiladas! You might need to reduce how often and how many enchiladas you eat, but you don't need to cut them out all together. There are healthy enchilada recipes in cookbooks and online designed especially for people with diabetes:
Dr. Rhodes suggests you share recipes with your grandma. Maybe she can adapt her recipe for and, if you like to cook, you can even cook together!
28 Comments
The single-most largest misconception I have faced with T2 management is the idea: “Well, you can eat this, there’s no sugar in it!” – ‘Sugar free’ does not mean ’safe’! That, and every time I so much as sneeze, it means I’m about to fall over dead…
The color scheme of this page is also impossible to read, thank you.
We have updated the color scheme on this page so that the text color is much darker in the comments boxes. That should make it easier to read. Thanks for your comments!
Bk Lawson,
Thank you for sharing your experiences and opinions. “Looking carefully at the total carbohydrate content in foods labeled as ’sugar free’ is really important,” says Dr. Rhodes, Director of the Type 2 Diabetes Program at Children’s Hospital Boston. She notes that carbohydrates other than sugar, such as sugar alcohols used as sweeteners, can also affect blood sugars. Information from the American Diabetes Association on sugar alcohols is available at http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/sugar-alcohols.html. Dr Rhodes also says that “People with diabetes may have difficulty with blood sugar control when they are sick, but there are some simple ways to prevent serious complications.” She suggests visiting one of the following websites to learn more about taking care of diabetes when you are sick and speaking with your diabetes team about a sick day management plan.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/managing_diabetes/living/diabetes_sick.html
http://www.diabetes.org/for-media/2008/help-im-sick-how-do-i.html
Not only Type 1 Diabetics can get Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) however, there are rare cases for Type 2 Diabetics that also get it as well.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes.
Diabetic ketoacidosis develops when you have too little insulin in your body. Without enough insulin, sugar (glucose) can’t enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis may cause you to lose consciousness. Eventually, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes, but people who have type 2 diabetes may develop diabetic ketoacidosis, too. In fact, in a few cases diabetic ketoacidosis is the first sign that a person has diabetes. If you have diabetes or you’re at risk of diabetes, learn the warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — and know when to seek emergency care.
That was a reference from the Mayo Clinic definition.
2 years ago I got very sick and had “flu” like symtomps. I could not even keep water down. My mother took me to the ER and had she not with in minutes I would be in a coma or dead. Thanks to the ER doctor, figured out with in minutes of coming in what was going on.
This information is not well known. Check out this link for DKA: Then talk to your doctor more about how to prevent it!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetic-ketoacidosis/DS00674
That’s easy. People with Type 2 diabetes are often characterized as having it because of poor health decisions. That’s often not true. In my case it runs in my family like having two arms, two legs, and a head!
In my case, that WAS it. However, it is NOT always that! Thank you, Bob.
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